Sakaja Makes U-Turn on Orders Banning Public from Recording Enforcement Officer Arrests
Governor Johnson Sakaja has reversed his previous directives prohibiting Kenyans from photographing or filming law enforcement officials during arrest.
On April 1, Sakaja ordered county enforcement officers, often known as kanjo, to apprehend and lock up anybody video recording them during arrests.
During his statement to the Nairobi County Assembly on Thursday, April 4, Sakaja reiterated that the public is permitted to video Kanjo in the line of duty since it may promote accountability.
However, the City Hall head emphasized that such recordings should not be motivated by malice or intended to incite the public against his police.
Sakaja said this on Thursday during his presentation to the Nairobi City County Assembly, where he also discussed the accomplishments his administration has achieved since assuming office in August 2022.
Sakaja said that the majority of recorded or video arrests do not provide a clear picture of what happened before to the arrest.
“To set the record straight and to be clear, there is no problem in recording officers as they perform their duties; it will even increase accountability. You can even shoot a movie if you want. What we will not accept is obstructing them or inciting the public to turn against them as they perform their duties,” Sakaja said.
The governor cautioned that his government will not tolerate cops being harmed while doing their duty, and that the law authorizes anybody who obstructs justice to be arrested.
“We have had unfortunate incidents where some of our officers have been attacked in their line of duty, this is unacceptable, and we will not tolerate this,” he added.
He additionally asked the MCAs to keep their vow to assist restore peace in the city by not politicizing arrests of lawbreakers.
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Sakaja Makes U-Turn on Orders Banning Public from Recording Enforcement Officer Arrests
